Michael john curtin



No 624,758. Patented may 9, I899. m. J. CURTIN.

PLUG 0B WEDGE FOR FIXING FLASHINGS 0F BUILDINGS, 81.0.

(Application filed Feb. 17, 1899.)

(No Model.)

NTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL JOHN CURTIN, OF CARLTON, VICTORIA.

PLUG OR WEDGE FOR FIXING FLASH INGS OF BUILDINGS, 800.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,758, dated May 9, 1899.

Application filed February 17, 1899. Serial No. 705,787. (No model-l To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, MICHAEL J OHN OURTIN, a subject of the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Carlton, in the Colony of Victoria, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plugs or Wedges for Fixing Flashings of Buildings and other Structures; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to producea new article of manufacture for the use particularly of plumbers and builders, whereby 1 the ordinar so-called wed e or lu for securing the flashings may be superseded. These plugs or wedges ordinarily consume more of the time of the workmen who have to make them than is desirable and, moreover, when made (out of hoop-iron generally) are not calculated to be so readily and firmly driven into and retained in place as the article which I have invented and propose to supply ready-made to plumbers and builders, whose needs in this direction have come under my professional observation.

In order to make my article, I bend up and cut into the desired form any suitable material, as iron, steel, 850. The form is that of a hollow wedge or an incomplete tapering tube, the narrow or front end being (in the form of the article I most approve) provided with a point and the back end having an even edge to receive the blows by which my wedge is driven'into its place, as between the joints of brickwork. The effect of driving in my wedge is to compress it, so that it will press firmly against the flashing it has to hold in place and against the brickwork or other surface at the opposite side of the joint. The wedge may vary in cross-section without departing from this invention. Thus such section may be triangular, circular, or oval, and the edges of the upturned metal may, if desired, be curled inward or be toothed, so as to cause independent pressure by the teeth on the joint.

Owing to the size and lightness of these wedges and their cheapness when made, they can be put up and sold by the pound, like common nails.

Referring to the sheet of drawings herewith,

Figures 1-, 2, and 3 are perspective views from the open side, each of a form of my invention slightly different from the others. Fig. 4 shows an elevation of part of a wall or structure, showing how the flashing is secured in place. view. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are respectively outer end sections and sections on line 10 10 of the forms shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3; and Fig. 9 is a further modified section.

A represents brick or stone work or the like; B, flashing; C, cement, mortar, or the like;

.D, the outer ends of wedges of my invention;

E, the open edges of same; F, the points, and G teeth or projections on the open side.

The essential feature is that at the more or less pointed inner end F the wedge shall be narrowenou gh to readily enter the joint where the flashing is to be fastened. The remainder of the wedge is materially wider than the joint, so as to require to be compressed when forced or bent into the same by driving on the outer end D. In the case of Figs. 1 and 2 the influence of any bending down of the edges E which is begun at or near the end F will be. extended toward the other end; butin Fig. 3

this will not occur, and there will thenbe four distinct points or areas (marked X) of pressure of the open side of the wedge within the joint C.

It will be obvious that many varied forms might be used, all embodying the spirit of my invention as above described.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Let-- Fig. 5 shows one of my wedges in edge E, point F and teeth G as and for the purposes set forth. t

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MICHAEL JOHN CURTIN. Witnesses:

GEORGE G. TURRI, W. H. OUBLEY. 

